Well, I can offer some "local info"... Texas is one of the few places in the country that hasn't taken a big hit on property values and jobs. Granted, there are pockets of good and bad, but generally it hasn't been the traumatic property declines you see elsewhere. In fact, the Austin area has consistent housing growth, both in values and property sold.
Texas, like South Dakota and Montana, has no state income tax, making it a good place to retire. Overall, property taxes are higher than many other states (hey, the revenue has to come from somewhere). Rockport is close enough to Corpus Christi that they are affected by the economics of that area... as oil prices go up and down, that affects the jobs. Rockport also counts heavily on tourism. I can't say specifically about Rockport, but our part of the Gulf Coast had a very good summer season... even though the Mexican national travel was way down, a lot of folks who would have gone to the Florida Gulf Coast came to the Texas Coast instead.
Many people in our area buy homes and condos there as a second or vacation property. Financing is generally not the concern that it is for first time home buyers.
If you're basing the "exodus" from the Tropical Tip on Walldog and us... well, I chalk that up to a wandering spirit and certainly not a "trend." Herb's house is about 5 times the size of ours, so his reference to "letting ours sell first" was very tongue in cheek. In the past 5 years, we have averaged somewhere shy of 3 months per year in our house; we both find that we go home because we feel we "need to" instead of longing to be in the house. We have considered full-time wandering (RV and boat) to be something we'd like to try for a lot of years... as it is, we're already 4/5 of the way there. 8)
We have been wintering in Texas for 15 years, and it's been our only house for the last 4 1/2. We love the climate and the culture, and would definitely spend time in the Tropical Tip or the Rockport area, even if we sell the house. So, don't be concerned - all is fine in that area. If you haven't spent much time there, I suggest getting down there and see what it's all about. Texas is big and diverse... The Tropical Tip can be high rise condos on the best walking beach around, shallow water fishing, the shrimping capital of the US, citrus fresh off the trees, Mexico "Lite", fishing or cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, quiet towns along the Arroyo Colorado, or the Rio Grande Vally where thousands of folks come to spend the winter. Rockport has great art galleries, good fishing, rich history, and friendly people; you can live on an island or spend a few months in an RV. I generally tell folks, "You will get it and want to stay, or not get it and be appalled." If you like hustle and bustle and intend to tell your neighbors "how we do it up north," you probably won't be happy here. :roll: But if you appreciate the culture and a more laid-back life style, you may be one of those who "get it."
"South" Texas encompasses a LOT of territory. Those city folks in San Antonio (about 6 hours north of us) think they are in "South" Texas. Even Rockport is about 180 miles north of the Tropical Tip. I'm not a big fan of the cities along Expressway 83 in the Rio Grande Vally (Harlingen, Donna, Pharr, McAllen, etc, etc - not that they are bad, but it's just typical city living); living on the water of the Laguna Madre and Gulf of Mexico is why we have been there. The winters are mild, spring and fall is like being in Hawaii, and summers are hot and humid.
Now, keep in mind that I am currently in the frozen northland caring for my 90 year old Mother (just got her out of the nursing home today). It's going to be snowy and below zero tomorrow night. The low tomorrow night in Port Isabel and South Padre Island will be around 60º (typical winter)... that sounds pretty good to me right now. :wink:
Don't go by my say-so... I've had folks here accuse me of working for the PI/SPI Chamber of Commerce. Check it out yourself. If I was going to stay put in one place, it wouldn't be where snow falls and the water gets hard.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
